I've posted in other threads about my high oil and coolant temps when towing hard, and am fairly convinced I need to replace my radiator. I'm wondering if I should replace the oil cooler, too? I'd rather just replace the seals, but now is the time if I want to replace the cooler. Do these things clog? If I replace the cooler, is there any need to replace the two ends? I didn't realize 'till today they are sold separately, and all three pieces get into real money territory pretty quick.

If it matters, this truck only sees 5-7K a year, and lives most of its life in a heated garage. It's had CAT ELC in for a few years, which will get reused.

Mark

 

I think high oil temps would chase high coolant temps therefore addressing the issue causing high coolant temps would address the high oil temps as well. I would do a rebuild since the coolant will be drained.

 

That's the idea, but I'm wondering if the same thing that causes the radiator to clog also clogs the oil cooler?

Mark

 

The coolant passages in the oil cooler are easy to clean out if they're blocked. They're straight tubes, and you can see right through them, so a visual inspection is simple.

 

Very helpful! Thanks!

Mark

 

Mine wasn't over heating, but this was between the radiator and the intercooler. We have had a couple members that had to replace their radiators to fix an over heating problem.

 

Yes the tubes for the coolant in the OC are straight but the oil part would be hard to clean out. Just had mine out and was thinking about cleaning it all up while removing it. Once i got it apart the coolant passages were good but it was hard to see in where the oil flows. The cooling fins are really tight in there and with a hole on each end i imagine it would be hard to clean. Not sure the direction of flow but hopefully and i imagine the oil goes through the filter first then the OC. If so i imagine it would prevent the cooling fins for the oil on the OC to stay clean.

 

A new rad and thermo yes but would only replace oil cooler tube and o rings and gaskets would be good. I have done lots of oil coolers never replaced an end or seen or had one fail on 7.3 You can have cooler checked and cleaned or you can clean it. Hope your going to flush block well with water before doing your project.Fill with water and a little cap full of dawn or buy CAT radiator flush if your shrugging at the dawn do several flushes then your other stuff. Drive it flush drive it flush may take several times but will be clean inside this is what we have always done on our big trucks.